So much to see I can't even remember it! January 09, 2023
By Mackenzie C (Communication, Berea College) - abroad from 12/27/2022 to 01/07/2023 with
KIIS: Paris - Munich Winter Program
I really learned to appreciate my life in America and not take things for granted. Simply hearing people regularly speak English, or having fast food to go to is something I took for granted in the US. After traveling, I am beyond grateful for my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really loved exploring the cities with Dr. Rich. I think she is a wonderful professor and a great person overall. I did not get to spend as much time with the other professor. However, I did hear that a lot of students had a more difficult time with him, as he seemed to assign more work than Dr. Rich's class, or he was less in tune with his students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely loved staying in the Aloft Munich. It had a great location, the beds were comfortable, the food was delicious, and the rooms were cleaned. I did not enjoy staying at the FIAP. The staff was very rude about food to the point it felt like I was walking on egg shells even when it came to food from the vending machine. The WIFI was horrible, to the point that I had to pay for the premium service just to write my paper. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I came to this trip wanting to get all of my money's worth, and I did that. Everything I wanted to see (except the Eiffel Tower up close) I was able to see in a short ten days. Even though I was exhausted, and felt like I was in a haze for most of the trip, it was amazing and memorable. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200/ week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would suggest taking way more than you need. I went to the ATM twice and by the end of the program, I still was running out of money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that not every experience was going to be fun or a dream. Paris is something I've dreamt about my entire life, and yes it is beautiful, but at the end of the day, it is a city where people are suffering as well. I wish I would've stopped the idealization because I was often disappointed after getting there. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
